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Pet Food Maker Issues Recall Due to Euthanasia Drug Contamination

By George Khoury, Esq. on March 14, 2017 | Last updated on March 21, 2019

Evanger's Dog and Cat Food issued a voluntary recall last month amid concerns that a common animal euthanasia drug contamination in their products was linked to five pets' illnesses and the death of one pet. Just this month, Evanger's updated their recall to include two additional product lines potentially manufactured with the same drug contaminated beef. The euthanasia drug, pentobarbital, was found by the FDA in two cans produced by Evanger's that were linked to the same batch of meat that caused the illnesses and death.

The Recall

At this time, Evanger's has issued a recall on the following products manufactured between December 2015 and January 2017, which all have expiration dates ranging from December 2019 to January 2021:

  • Evanger's Hunk of Beef Au Jus, with UPC 20109
  • Evanger's Braised Beef, with UPC 20107
  • Against the Grain: Pulled Beef, with UPC 80001

If you have purchased any of these products, you can return them for a full refund. More information concerning the recall can be found on the FDA's website. If you have fed your dog these products, you should be on the lookout for the following symptoms as death or coma can result:

  • Dizziness
  • Drowsiness
  • Excitement
  • Inability to stand
  • Jerky eye movements
  • Loss of balance
  • Nausea

The Source of Contamination and Dispute

While Evanger's canned pet food product lines subject to recall are hand packed, rather than machine packed, Evanger's maintains that the contamination is accidental on the packing end and their actions seem to blame a third party supplier. The third party supplier of the meat, whom the company had worked with for over 40 years, and relied on to provide meat, is believed to have processes to not mix up animals that were euthanized with drugs into those that were not, which is standard protocol. No definitive blame has been laid, at this time.

Essentially, the euthanasia drug is suspected to have been present in the meat provided to Evanger's, but as the FDA report explains, Evangers may not have the cleanest of hands based on the meats it has ordered in the past. As a result, the company has cut ties to one unnamed supplier, and issued multiple statements and reports to attempt to restore their customers' trust. However, after a recall like this, it may be difficult and take some time.

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